Frequently Asked Questions

Sunday, April 23, 2023

There are over 20 projects all over Greater Philadelphia at various times and locations throughout the day.  You can register to attend one or more of our projects by clicking here.

Most of the projects are hands-on.  Please dress casually and comfortably.

Please let the host organization know if you need to cancel. Hosts have a day-of contact on their individual registration pages.

If you are unable to attend Israel 75 Community Mitzvah Day on Sunday, April 23 or you are interested in additional volunteer opportunities, please visit jewishphilly.org/volunteer.

Each of our sites has a contact person listed.  You should reach out to that person with specific questions for the project or site.  If you have additional questions, please contact Lori Rubin at lrubin@jewishphilly.org or 215.832.0828

Each of our project sites has listed information regarding their specific COVID-19 policy or any restrictions. Please contact the site coordinator listed with any questions.  To see the Jewish Federation’s COVID-19 policy, click here.

We hope to include all generations in this exciting day of service.  However, each project has indicated the age group or groups it is geared for.

Please reach out to the contact listed for the individual event, which can be found on that project’s registration page.

There are various degrees of physical activity involved. There are a range of projects, but may involve packing, sorting and lifting boxes. However, there are a number of volunteer opportunities available, so please check the project listings on the Community Mitzvah Day webpage.

If you need special accommodations, such as parking, please reach out to the contact listed for the individual event, which can be found on that project’s registration page.

Shabbat is the seventh day of the week, beginning at sunset on Friday and continuing until an hour after sunset on Saturday. In the Bible, it was said that God rested on the seventh day after completing creation. Depending on one’s relationship with Judaism and Jewish ritual observance, there are many different ways to celebrate Shabbat. They include avoiding work (which can mean anything from staying off email to completely avoiding using electricity), going to Shabbat services at a synagogue, having designated family time, singing songs of joy and celebration, and gathering with friends and family for a Shabbat meal.

We’re inviting our hosts to create an atmosphere that is unique to Shabbat and accessible to anyone who wants to join. These Gatherings can be dinner on Friday, lunch on Saturday, a light afternoon meal (also known as third-meal, or seh-uh-dah shlishi) on Saturday afternoon, or a service at the end of Shabbat on Saturday evening called Havdalah.

The Shabbat Gatherings will take place on April 28 and April 29.

You can participate in one of the following three ways:
Join a Young Adult Shabbat Gathering
For those in their 20s, 30s and 40s, choose a Shabbat Gathering via OneTable from various locations throughout the Greater Philadelphia area.

Attend a Community Shabbat Experience

Hosted by our local organizations and synagogues, these events are in collaboration with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s neighborhood Kehillot.

Host a Private Shabbat Gathering

Be a part of the wider community celebrations by having your own private Shabbat Gathering. By being a host, you will personally invite your own guests and fill the table with whoever you want. All we ask is that you fill out this form and let us know the final number of attendees at your event by emailing Max Moline at mmoline@jewishphilly.org by Monday, May 1.

This is a wonderful opportunity to see old friends and make new ones, and to experience Shabbat in a way that you might not have otherwise. Additionally, this weekend is a community-wide celebration of the 75th anniversary of Israel’s founding, and we will have more than 1,000 people participating!

There are two ways to host a Shabbat Gathering:

Host a Private Shabbat Gathering

Be a part of the wider community celebrations by having your own private Shabbat Gathering. By being a host, you will personally invite your own guests and fill the table with whoever you want. All we ask is that youfill out this form and let us know the final number of attendees at your event by emailing Max Moline at mmoline@jewishphilly.org by Monday, May 1.

Host a One Table Shabbat Gathering

If you are in your 20s, 30s and 40s and would like to host a One Table Shabbat, please email  Max Moline at mmoline@jewishphilly.org.

Each private host and OneTable host will be responsible for deciding what food they are serving, with the understanding that every venue has to have at least a vegetarian offering. Public hosts will all be kosher and will have various offerings. When you sign up for a dinner, you have the option of adding in dietary restrictions – with the understanding that not every host will be able to accommodate every restriction.

Each host will determine their own comfort levels and COVID-19 policies, and they will communicate that to potential attendees. To see the Jewish Federation’s COVID-19 policy, click here.

Unless otherwise specified by the host, dress in whatever way is comfortable to you while remaining appropriate. Some people choose to wear slightly more formal clothing for Shabbat (i.e., business casual instead of casual), but that is a personal choice.

Please let your host know if you need to cancel. Public hosts will have a day-of contact for these situations.

There will be both armed and unarmed security at the venue. Lower Merion Police Department will also be helping with traffic control. Firearms from guests and attendees will NOT be allowed on the campus or into the venue.

Parking at the campus will be restricted. All patrons will park at the Friends’ Central School (1101 City Ave, Wynnewood, PA 19096) and will be bused to the event.  Buses will be continually running through the entire event.

If you require disabled parking, please email Israel75@jewishphilly.org or call 215.832.0547.

There will be a Uber/Lyft drop off/pick up point just outside of the campus.

All patrons MUST enter through the main Saligman campus gates on Haverford Avenue. NO ONE will be allowed into the venue until they have passed the registration/security checkpoint.

ALL bags larger than a small purse will be searched when you enter the venue. There will be an area designated for bag searches at the venue entrance.

There will be a command tent located near the front of the venue.  Patrons should go to the command tent if they have any issues. Security and Federation staff will be at the command tent.

There will be fire/rescue personnel on scene in the case of an emergency.

Strollers will be allowed into the venue.  No bikes or motorized vehicles will be allowed into the venue.

While many of the activities are included in the ticket price, some vendors will be selling additional food options as items for purchase. It will be up to each vendor as to whether they accept cash, credit cards or other forms of electronic payment on-site.  We suggest bringing both cash and credit cards if you anticipate making purchases.

Please know that we only accept credit cards for admission payment; cash will not be accepted.

The festival will have various activities and be taking place on the lawn and outside. Please know that there will be a limited number of seats available.

If you need special accommodations, including parking, please email israel75@jewishphilly.org by May 1.

The festival will take place rain or shine. It is an outdoor festival, but should we need to relocate, we have plenty of space inside Perelman Jewish Day School and the JCC where the activities will be moved.

We suggest that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes appropriate for walking and standing on the lawn and cement. Sunscreen and a hat are recommended. If the forecast calls for light rain we suggest a jacket or umbrella.

Unfortunately the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia will not be issuing refunds for those who are unable to make it to the festival.

All food that is prepared and presented by Michael Solomonov and other vendors in the main demonstration tent will be under the supervision of Keystone-K Community Kashrus of Greater Philadelphia and certified as Glatt kosher. Food provided by other vendors outside of the main demo tent will be clearly marked indicating their level of dietary observance.

To see the Jewish Federation’s COVID-19 policy, click here.

No family will be turned away. If cost is an issue, please email israel75@jewishphilly.org by May 1. We will be unable to provide financial accommodations if we have not heard from you by May 1, 2023.

May 14-21, 2023

Each participant is responsible for making their own flight arrangements. As it gets closer to the start of the mission, we will send out suggested flight times and provide you with contact information for a travel agent who you can book through if you so choose. Please see suggested flights below:

• May 13 Newark → Tel Aviv
  • United – UA 84 – Depart 4:20PM – Arrive 9:55AM (next day)
  • El Al – LY 26 – Depart 11:50PM – Arrive 5:15PM (next day)
• May 21 Tel Aviv → Newark
  • United – UA 91 – Depart 11:25PM – Arrive 4:15AM (next day)
• May 22 Tel Aviv → Newark
  • El Al – LY 25 – Depart 1:00AM – Arrive 5:45AM

We ask all mission participants to consider making a capacity gift to support community needs with a suggested minimum gift to the Jewish Federation of $540 per participant.

Please see below for the following prices (land only):

• $5,499 per person in a double room
• $2,080 additional for single supplement
• $2,000 subsidy is available for participants 45 years of age and under.

• If you register before May 1, you will need to pay $1,000 at the time of registration. Your credit card will be subsequently charged on two dates for the remaining balance due.
• If you register after May 1, you will need to pay a $500 non-refundable deposit as well as a portion of the programming fee based on room selection. Your credit card will be subsequently charged on one date for the remaining balance due.
• If you register after December 31, you will be invoiced via email your total amount after registering. You must pay this amount by January 31 through a secure webpage that will be provided with your invoice.

• Early Bird Registration (Before May 1) Payment Schedule

Registration (After May 1) Payment Schedule

• By May 1, 2022: 100% refund
• Between May 2, 2022 and January 4, 2023: Amount paid refunded minus $500 non-refundable deposit
• Between January 5, 2023 and March 20, 2023: 50% refund of amount paid minus the $500 non-refundable deposit
• On or after March 20, 2023: No refunds

Cancellations must be submitted in writing by emailing Erica N. Miller at erica.miller@jewishphilly.org and Doreen Bason at dbason@jewishphilly.org.

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and are working with our partners in Israel to ensure your safety. Your health and the health of others is our top priority. Proof of full vaccination (FDA or EMA approved vaccines) is required. In accordance with the recommendations of the Director General of the Ministry of Health of the State of Israel, you are required to have a health insurance policy with coverage for the treatment abroad of the COVID-19 virus. Travelers are required to have a health insurance policy with coverage for the treatment abroad of the COVID-19 virus. Any coverage that goes beyond that is at the choice of the participant. Please visit the Israel’s Ministry of Health website, the CDC website and the U.S. Department of State website for their latest travel policies.

In the event of cancellation of the mission due to unforeseen circumstances as it relates to COVID-19, fees paid towards registration and prepaid other fees will be refunded to the extent we receive refunds from our vendors and suppliers.

To ensure travel peace of mind, we strongly encourage mission participants to purchase travel insurance.  While we will do our best to secure refunds from any Israeli vendor who has been paid, we cannot guarantee the amount that will be returned.  Please refer to the question below “Is trip insurance required?” for more information.

In accordance with the recommendations of the Director General of the Ministry of Health of the State of Israel, please know that you are required to have a health insurance policy with coverage for the treatment abroad of the COVID-19 virus. Any coverage that goes beyond that is at the choice of the participant. Please visit the Israel’s Ministry of Health website, the CDC website and the U.S. Department of State website for their latest travel policies.

In the event that Israel closes its borders due to COVID-19, we will be working with our partners at Kenes Tours to issue refunds to our participants.

Trip insurance is not required, but we strongly encourage mission participants to purchase the level of travel insurance they feel comfortable will provide them with travel peace of mind.

Here are some trip insurance companies that we are aware of:

Allianz Travel Insurance: www.allianztravelinsurance.com
Travelex Insurance: www.travelexinsurance.com
Arch RoamRight www.roamright.com
Covac Global www.covacglobal.com

In accordance with the recommendations of the Director General of the Ministry of Health of the State of Israel, please know that you are required to have a health insurance policy with coverage for the treatment abroad of the COVID-19 virus. Travelers are required to have a health insurance policy with coverage for the treatment abroad of the COVID-19 virus. Any coverage that goes beyond that is at the choice of the participant. Please visit the Israel’s Ministry of Health website, the CDC website and the U.S. Department of State website for their latest travel policies.

On the registration form, you will provide your top two track choices in order of preference. We will do our best to accommodate your first choice.

There are four different tracks available for you to choose from:

• Adventure
• Food, Wine & Culture
• Tech & Business
• People, Places & Politics

The highlights for each track can be found on the Israel 75 Mission website. We recommend reviewing the highlights and selecting your top two choices that interest you the most. We will do our best to accommodate everyone’s top choice.

Each track activity has limited space available, therefore it will be necessary for you to select a track and remain with that programming throughout the mission.

Yes! There are approximately four times during the mission that you will split up into your tracks. At the end of each day, we will gather again as a community, either at one of our signature events or when we return to the hotels.

• Hilton, Tel Aviv
• David Citadel, Jerusalem

We have a packed itinerary planned, but some of the evenings will be free so you can meet up with friends. If your schedule allows, you are welcome to arrive in Israel prior to the start of the mission or stay after the mission is complete and spend time with family and friends. If you need help making hotel arrangements, please let us know and we will put you in touch with a travel agent at Kenes Tours.

• Daily breakfast at the hotels are included
• Most lunches
• Four dinners including:
  • Opening party and dinner on the roof of the ANU Museum in Tel Aviv (Museum of the Jewish People)
  • A big festival of flavors and cultures in our sister cities of Netivot and Sdot Negev
  • Shabbat dinner overlooking the Kotel from the rooftop of Beit Shmuel
  • Farewell dinner celebration at an army base
• As we get closer to the start of the mission, we will provide you with a detailed itinerary that will explain which days have included meals.

The weather in Israel in May is warm and comfortable. During the day, temperatures range from the mid to high 70s and low 80s. It is typically sunny with blue skies. At night, the temperature can drop to the mid to high 60s.

You will receive an email from Doreen Bason (dbason@jewishphilly.org) with a Virtru link, which we require you to use to protect your sensitive and confidential personally identifiable information (PII). The Virtru link will take you to a secure portal for you to provide the following required sensitive information for this mission:

• date of birth
• passport number
• passport issue date
• passport expiration date
• passport photo

You can also provide your global entry or trusted traveler number, if you have one.

Once you open the Virtru link, you will validate your email address. Please ensure that any sensitive information you input and upload are in the “encrypted message” and “files” section that is located beneath the text that says “all text and files below this line will be encrypted.”

There is an unencrypted section, located at the top of the form, where you can add a message to Doreen Bason, explaining that your mission documents are included in the secure section.

We ask that you do not customize any of the security settings. Once you have included all of the necessary information, click “share” to send the information to Doreen Bason.

If you have any questions, please contact Doreen Bason at dbason@jewishphilly.org.

Please see below for an example:

To see the Jewish Federation’s privacy policy, click here.

For questions, please contact Erica N. Miller, Missions Manager, at erica.miller@jewishphilly.org or 215.832.0629.

Yes, please watch the below recording of a past information session meeting.